The Harmony Of Equestria

Change

''You know what? An opinion Is nothing more than what you think about something: unless you have the entire world backing you up, It will not matter unless It's conveyed to where you and the person or people It's directed at consider/use It and  you get a good result.''

A quote by me.

The Library, 10:00 AM:

Hearing the sound of soft breathing, I was alerted to Twilight and Luna's presence. Looking down, the sight of them sleeping made a smile come on my face. Carefully moving their heads from on top of my chest, I ventured to the bathroom. Licking my dry lips and turning on the water, I stripped down and got Inside. ''Man, some night that was.'' I thought to myself. While Nightmare Night was fun, putting aside the Initial fear and unwelcoming nature of the ponies as well with that whole 'Undead pony' fight, we managed to turn the public opinion around. Scrubbing myself with the lemon scented soap, all of my worries washed away with stink, dirt, and grime of that night. Within about 10 minutes, my body had no traces of filth. Drying myself off with a towel, the almost primal growl of my stomach told me all that was required: Time to eat. Going In my room and grabbing a gray t-shirt, some black pants, and my shoes, I was good.

I Dressed In more comfortable clothes to better suit today's little function of going to Canterlot help and train some of the royal guard with some of my freelance techniques and possibly become a weapon smith to help fortify the guard. Now at first, turned down the offer, they're okay where they are now, plus sure to be some rowdy or stubborn cadets to deal with and nobody has no time for that. But after Luna telling me It's my duty as the future co-ruler of the New Lunar Republic, It would be In my better mind to do this. So heading downstairs and obtaining some food In my gullet, she brought up the topic of what exactly to expect. ''Recently, there have tensions and uprising within the ranks so my sister and I thought It to be best to enlist you along with a time-honored guard to help quell this Issue.''

''Somepony will be helping me?'' I questioned to which she nodded.

''A guard who has served his time, though he mostly helps and trains the new recruits.''

''Name?''

''Valiant Barrier, a unicorn.'' She answered.

Sounds like a swell guy, but he might be one of those high and mighty: I did my time, so you have no room to talk or some BS like that. I'm not saying that people who fight In the miltary, army, navy, air force, etc don't deserve credit, It's just: Ok, served your time, don't feel special about It nor brag, but you did good. I hate those type of people. They think just because they've been to war or seen someone get shot that they know everything or feel 'on top of It.' My point: be proud but don't brag so damn much, or at all.

''Well, If we're doing this, can Frank, Iron Hammer, and Spike come along?'' I asked.

''Of course, do not see why they should not.'' She said.

''Alright, time to whip those punks Into shape!'' Frank cracked his knuckles. Trying to see a positive out this, we finished eating and proceeded to Canterlot by train.

Being here once before, I was slightly familiar with a few of the places around here.

''Time to go to work.'' Frank smiled as we arrived on the training grounds.

Before I could offer a reply, a harsh 'At attention!' was heard behind us. Turning around, we saw a group of about 15 or so ponies, each of them looked rather scared and In front of them of was a unicorn with a black and mane tail with a gray coat with a cutie mark sword striking a magic barrier. He also had a few scars adorning his face, the one most prominent on his left eye.

''That must Valiant Barrier.'' Spike said.

Walking over to him, I took a look at the cadets and I must say: a few of them could stand to try and relax, nothing has really happened yet.

''And who are you?'' He asked with a smug voice.

''I am the help Princess Luna and Celestia sent to help whip the cadets In shape.'' I answered.

''And what about them?'' He pointed to the guys.

''My weapon smith, apprentice, and best friend.'' I gestured to each of them.

''Hmph, very well: let us get this over with.'' He turned his attention back to the cadets.

''Listen up you maggots! I am not here to here to kiss your flank If you think this Is too hard nor am I here for fun! I am here to train you to be cold hearted, emotionless killers and protectors! Don't like It then you can go and suck on your mother's teats!

The cadets all straightened up after hearing that.

''Together with the aid of...'' He looked to us.

''Jamir.''

''Spike.''

''Iron Hammer.''

''Frank.''

''You will go through a vigorous training session with no breaks! You will remember that this Is not, at any point a game, so you back out now before you humiliate yourself!'' He shouted.

''Well, you wanted crunch time, and know you have It.'' I told Frank.

First off on the agenda was basic weapon maintenance with Iron, while I know one or two things about forging, my expertise Is using them. He pretty much went over the simplistic version: what not to do, how to make sure It's In good condition and other stuff.

When It was Spike's turn, he basically told the quirks of being under a mentor-ship.

Frank pretty much said whatever was on his mind which was talking about explosions or cliched things that none of the cadets understood.

Finally, It came to me and my area of Interest: Fighting.

''When you fight, you'd think a million thoughts would go through your head, but there should be only 2 that are Important: Where am I right now and what can I use to help me?'' I said. ''And I mean that you only focus on what you're doing and what you can do to win: no matter how good your strong you or the opponent Is, the outcome lies In your hooves.''

Nodding at my words, we put these rookies to the test with a little sparring to see where they stood.

''Man, that was kinda fun, right?'' Frank handed me some water.

Sitting down after taking a break, my thoughts were confirmed as a few of them had a pretty good Idea on how to fight creatively while some leave some to desired.

''So what do you think so far?''Valiant asked me.

''They have potential, but they could stand to Improve their technique, kinda sloppy.'' I sipped some water.

''Second that.'' Frank added.

Going to go for another round, our session was Interrupted by a guard running to us Intent on saying something.

''The princesses...wish to...see all of you...'' He gestured to everyone.

Huh?

Getting up and setting off at a brisk pace, we made our way to the throne room to see what all the fuss was about.

''What's the matter?'' We arrived In the throne room.

''Thank you for joining us on such short notice.'' Celestia said, looking displeased. ''We have just received some disturbing news that our convoy was attacked.''

''Convoy?'' I asked.

''Aye, you see: back In the times of old there were the 3 pony tribes, the Zebras, the Griffons, and even the Changelings were conjoined as one faction In symbiotic relationships: Trading artifacts, having meetings, helping one another, and being allies. But time has gone by and each race has branched off and severed alliances with the other nations.'' Luna said.

''Recently, we wanted to try and reestablish a treaty to open the border and trade route to better allow commerce.'' Celestia Informed us.

''Our representative  was to try and negotiate with the Griffon Kingdom, but we have received news from one of the guards that his convoy has been attacked and him taken. Wing Dart, If you can be so kind as to Inform us of what exactly you saw?''

The Pegasus next to her nodded and spoke: ''Everything was going good until we heard some commotion up the road. We looked and assumed It to be a dead pony, but next thing we know, they had us surrounded. Everywhere we looked, a band of rebels attacked us. Besides the rep, I was the only to barely make It out. They were relentless...'' He shook his head a number of times.

''And what do you want us to do Princesses?'' Valiant asked.

''We would Implore Jamir and you to take this group of cadets attempt to track down the representative and possibly bring these rebels to justice.'' Luna said.

''It has been a minute since I last was In the field, though It would be my honor to do this for you.'' He replied.

''Sure, I'll help In anyway that I can.'' I stepped forward.

''Hell yea! If he's going then count me In!'' Franks chimed.

''Me too, might as well live a little.'' Iron said.

''And me too!'' Spike wanted to come.

''Sorry bud, but I'm more than positive that If you get hurt...Twilight Is going to kill me, no questions asked.'' I patted his shoulder.

''Aww, come on: I can take It! Besides I'm your apprentice, so how am I supposed to learn more without going with you?'' He asked.

''Fine, but you stick to me like glue, got It?'' I emphasized my point.

''Mmm-hmm!''

Didn't expect this, but guess now we're Involved In politics.

''So when are we leaving?'' I asked.

After obtaining the map of the route we were set out for, and procuring the necessary gear, we took this small squad of recruits to resolve this diplomatic problem.

Right now, we set out a steady pace with me, Frank, Spike, Iron, and Valiant riding In a carriage, the only sounds heard was the rickety wheels against the dirt road, the subtle breeze of the night sky, and the chirps of a few grasshoppers. A few hours had passed since we set out and nothing really happened. Looking out the window, the subtle moonlight sky put any of my potential concerns at ease.

''So are at the spot yet?'' Frank played with his gauntlets.

''According to the map, we should be here by now.'' Valiant peered outside.

''We're here, stop.'' He told the cadets pulling our carriage.

Getting out and stretching my muscles, we laid our sights on a dismantled carriage on Its side with signs of a struggle evident. Viewing Inside, nobody was here.

I shook my head at them to which they sighed.

''Oh, wonderful: now we have to look.'' I thought.

Instead, a piece of parchment laid near one the wheels that I picked up and read.

''If you're reading this, then you should know that the representative Is long gone, by the way: l see you...''

Next thing I knew, though faintly an array of eyes beamed at us, with hostile Intent, I assume.

''Okay, this has gotten me out of my comfort zone'' Frank said.

''Alright, seems these punks want a fight, so let's give It to em'.'' Valiant got the cadets ready.

Taking a sword out of the weapon cache and waiting, my eye caught a slight movement to my right as the tip was thrusted In that direction, a shout of pain confirming my strike.

''Ahhh! My beak!'' I heard a voice yell and sicking crack.

''Eat It!'' Frank laughed.

Dodging a buck Intended for my face, I traded blows with an Earth pony until he slipped up and I got him with a palm strike and knocked him down. Turning around and backhanding a Griffon and stabbing a Pegasus, I got tackled down the the hard ground by a unicorn.

''Hey, get off of him!'' Iron slammed his body Into the unicorn, knocking him off balance.

Getting back up, I saw Frank going after more of a kickboxing style with his reinforced fighting gauntlets, boots, and elbow gurards, delivering quick hits and kicks to exposed areas, the cadets banding together and making decent efforts to hold the line. Iron fancied using a war hammer, Valiant used his magic to make barriers to push the rebels back, and as for Spike: he was currently holding his own with a Griffon, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of claws until he saw his chance to lodge his sickle's blade In the throat and yank It across, blood spewing out and a scream of agony fill the air.

''Damn It, these guys just keep coming!'' I said, barely having room to breathe as my attention was shifted every few seconds.

Being too preoccupied with dodging this unicorn's 3 sword assault, I failed to see a length of rope wrap Itself around my wrist. I tried to cut It off, but my weapon was yanked out my hand by the unicorn and also my tie my other

''Let me go you bastards, or you'll regret this!'' I yelled.

''Shut It, ape!'' A griffon brought me down to my knees.

''You motherfuckers have no Idea who you're messing with: either release me or I will kill you and shit on your graves!'' A growl escaped my lips.

''A feisty one, aren't you? Well, the rest of your friends are captured and yet you are fascinating...just like Azure said.'' A rather scuffed Griffon said.

''Must be the head honcho of-wait, what?'' My thoughts got out of control.

''Did you say Azure?'' I demanded.

''Yep, one miss Azure light: she paid us to attack this convoy and draw you out: really good coin.'' He laughed.

''She did what?!'' I got up, a sword being held to my neck.

''I'm afraid so.'' A voice came from behind me.

''Azure?''

Sure enough, there she was: a smug smile on her face and letting out a little chuckle as she spoke.

''Yes, these gents were kind enough to honor my request of capturing the Equestrian representative and since I figured Celestia and Luna might catch wind of this, I was more than sure of them sending you to take care of It.''

''AWW, you bitch!'' Frank spat from alongside me.

''Why would you do this? I, we trusted you and you do this to us?'' My emotions were all over the place.

''No Ill will was directly placed upon you.'' She gestured to us. ''But your determination will be a Issue for my plans so the best way to fix that would to put you the one place nopony would think to look for you.'' She burst Into laughter.

''You won't get away with this: wherever we end up, not that I will find you and kill you myself.''

''Poor, naive child: I already have: Do It.'' She looked to the unicorns.

''Huh?'' I suddenly felt sleepy...no...have to stop her...can't let her...get away...ugh. I hit the ground and saw darkness.